2008 Opel Insignia Review

Looking for a Used Insignia in your area?

CarGurus has thousands of nationwide listings and the tools to find you a great deal.

ZIP:

2008 Opel InsigniaOverview

Much ado was made in July 2008, when Opel introduced its newest entry into the midsize sedan market, the 2008 Opel Insignia. This outrageously stylish sedan replaces the aging-but-venerable Vectra, and a large part of the hullaballoo concerns the fact that the Opel Insignia is slated to be branded in the U.S. as the next-generation Saturn Aura. The Aura is, of course, presently based, at least in part, on the Vectra design.

The five-passenger ’08 Opel Insignia is offered with an array of engine selections, two transmission choices, and the option of full-time front-wheel drive or adaptive all-wheel drive. Additionally, a wagon, the Insignia Sports Tourer, promising an even roomier cabin as well as a significant increase in cargo space, is due to join the midsize Insignia sedan before the end of the model year.

The ’08 Opel Insignia offers a plethora of engines that includes four gasoline and three turbodiesel options. Engine choices range from a 1.6-liter, 115-hp inline four-cylinder (I4) gasoline engine to a 256-hp, 2.8-liter turbocharged gas-powered V6 to a 2.0-liter I4 turbodiesel that puts out some 160 hp and nearly 250 lb-ft of torque. All these engines are available with either a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmission.

A completely reworked suspension for the ’08 Opel Insignia, built around GM’s highly regarded Epsilon II chassis, features the cutting-edge FlexRide design. This FlexRide technology allows drivers of the Insignia to select one of 11 different handling modes, depending on road conditions, traffic, terrain, etc. Over-the-top steering and braking systems, combined with Insignia’s super-adaptable FlexRide design, should be enough to make Japanese carmakers weep and German titans scramble to stay a step ahead.

The cabin of the 2008 Opel Insignia has been described as a marvel of design and workmanship, far more elegant, comfortable, and understated than that in many of Europe’s more luxurious – and more expensive – sedans. No cumbersome switches and unsightly levers, characteristic of most U.S. dashboards and instrument panels, clutter the ‘08 Insignia. Should the Insignia indeed be wedded with the Saturn Aura, the hope is that the Aura will retain at least a modicum of the Insignia’s interior and exterior Euro-elegance.

Along with Bluetooth hands-free communications technology, a new music-streaming system, and a forward-looking camera system that’s designed to warn drivers of speed limits and lane drift, the ’08 Opel insignia offers simulated wood and chrome accents, steering-wheel-mounted cruise and audio controls, and an electronic climate control system with charcoal cabin filtering.

Have Laptop. Will Travel. I'm retired and travelling the country in a 34' motor home. I'm really digging meeting people . . and sometimes their cars . . . getting a sense of what makes this nation tick. The plan is to visit all the national parks in the continental US, then cruise to Alaska to visit Denali, and to Hawaii to check out Haleakala and the Hawaii Volcano's national parks.
Anyhow, when I'm not horsing the motor home around the roadways, I'm tooting around in the 2012 Ford Focus that we tow behind, or making runs to Home Depot and various malls with the 2004 F-150 that just won't die.

What's your take on the 2008 Opel Insignia?

Have you driven a 2008 Opel Insignia?

Rank This Car

Looking for a Used Insignia in your area?

CarGurus has thousands of nationwide listings and the tools to find you a great deal.